The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1928.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1928.

A DELICATE SlTl’.yllu.n’. Writers, who arc close students or the state of affairs in India, olten aver that the general situation there, so far as close attachment to Great Britain is concerned, is very delicate. It is well-known in a very open way, that Bolshevism encouragement from Russian sources is endeavouring to jierineote the country. The move for responsible government in India lias been under consideration for a long time, hut there have been obvious objections to home rule pure and simple by the natives Britain lias endeavoured to temporarise and the latest move is to send out an Indian Commission to study the problem from all its hearings and propose a measure of some substantial relief. According to a late cable message, however, by a small minority the Indian Legislative Assemby has decided to boycott the Commission, which, under the direction of Sir John Simon, is to investigate Unpolitical condition of India. The boycott was moved bv the Nationalist leader, Lajpat Rai. who has been for many years one of the bitterest and most irreconcilable enemies of the British Raj. The reasons lie advanced were, firstly, that as the members of the Commission know nothing about India, they could do nothing for i; nut. secondly, that in any ease thev are not inspired by a disinterested deeire to benefit India and its people. Regarding the Commission as prejudiced and

incitiiijicteiit, the Nationalists have therefore decided to have nothing to do with it. No doid'L this obstinate determination to concede nothing to Britain is due in large part to the past influence of Gandhi. Gne of Gandhi's Moslem colleagues, Mahomed A!i. has been recently agitating in favour of boycotting the Commission, and considerable sections of the Hindu and Mohammedan population are of one mind on this question. Rut it is also certain that the Nationalists have b‘c 11 inspired and encouraged to a large extent by the tactics of critics and opponents of the Simon Commissi in at Home. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, as otlicial head <d the Labour Party, lias given the Commission his public commendation, and has expressed regret at the shortsighted folly of the Nationalists, who seem to him to be throwing away a valuable opportunity for urging their case upon the attention of the Jnqierial authorities. Ull the other hand. Mr It. N. RrailsI'ord, has made a vehement attack upon Mr MacDonald for his approval of tho Commission, and tias denounced his “Imperialist” policy towards India, while Colonel Wedgwood, an even more violent extremist, lias publicly warned the people of India to put no faith or trust in the Commission and to hold themselves entirely alool from it. The letter on this subject addressed by Colonel Wedgwood to Rajput Itai lias been published in the "rimes.” anil deserves the careful attention of ail interested in (be affairs of India and its relation to the lirilisii Crown. The writer describes the Commission as a "bitter disappointment wbicb seems to make reconciliation impossible in our lifetime.’ lie hopes and expects that “the Commission will be boycotted, that the Assembly will refuse to vote the money, that the various councils will refuse to set up the eon.sulta li' e committee.” That, he thinks, is flic best course l<> take, because otherwise the Indian people would lose their self-respect. ‘‘Petitioning for little scraps of liberty is a dirty business." and lie advises the Nationalists to decline to stand crossexamination by “persons of 1:0 great importance'’ who bad never yet shown any sympathy for India and her just claims This nitiable exhibition of prejudice and political rancour no doubt has produced a decided impression in India. It is some coii-olal ion. however, to receive Ron! Rirkenlmad’s a--surauee that a very large and responsible port ion of India will by represented before the Com mission, and will ensure its success.